windward

[ wind-werd ]

adverb

1. toward the wind; toward the point from which the wind blows.

adjective

1. pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the quarter from which the wind blows ( leeward ).

noun

1. the point or quarter from which the wind blows.
2. the side toward the wind.

windward

/ ˈwɪndwəd /

adjective

1. of, in, or moving to the quarter from which the wind blows
2. to windward of
   to windward of advantageously situated with respect to

noun

1. the windward point
2. the side towards the wind

adverb

1. towards the wind

Other Words From

• windward·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of windward¹

First recorded in 1540–50; wind ¹ + -ward

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. to windward, in a position of vantage: Also to the windward.

   We got to windward of the difficulty.

Example Sentences

He is renting a home on Oahu’s windward side but, like many other lower-income applicants on the waitlist, he and his family have spent time homeless.

From ProPublica

A bird who finds himself on the huddle’s windward side is soon driven to relocate to its warmer, leeward side.

From Quanta Magazine

As more birds leave the windward side, penguins in the center soon find themselves exposed.

From Quanta Magazine

Wind flow and temperature around the huddle prompt a first penguin — typically the coldest on the windward side — to relocate.

From Quanta Magazine

Archie Carr, The Windward Road: Adventures of a Naturalist On Remote Caribbean Shores—The title tells you a lot, but not enough.

From The Daily Beast

I have heard Joe say that small shot couldn't have hit you very much harder than the drift when you looked to windward.

From Project Gutenberg

Without her powerful engines to tow it to windward of the wrecks the lifeboat would be much, very much, less useful than it is.

From Project Gutenberg

The hawser was slipped as he spoke; the lifeboat was hauled slowly but steadily to windward up to her anchor.

From Project Gutenberg

They found their way up on to the windward side of the promenade, which was absolutely deserted.

From Project Gutenberg

It was no easy thing to hold the yacht on its course, even with no sail to drive it up to windward.

From Project Gutenberg